Ex-Golden and Flying Ealets head coach Manu Garba says Ifeanyi Matthew will be a great addition for Nigeria Sup)er Eagles’ midfield area ahead of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

The 26-year old has a goal and 3 assists in 15 league games so far in the Swiss Super League with FC Züriche this season.

His style of play and capacity to drive the ball ahead in transition moments make of him a special talent which is still in the memory of his coach Garba who recalled the player he discovered ten years ago.

“I discovered Ifeanyi Mathew alongside Musa Muhammed in 2013 in Kano during my time as Golden Eaglet head coach,” he told Daily Post Nigeria.

‘Mathew was also instrumental in my team that won the U-20 AFCON in Senegal in 2015 and he was with us at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in New Zealand.”

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“I have been motoring his progress since he was in Sweden up till now that he is in Switzerland.”

“He is the most consistent Nigerian midfielder in Europe at the moment and for him to join the Super Eagles will be of great value addition to the team ahead of AFCON especially in the midfield area where obviously the coach needs to work on going by the two games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.”

“One of his greatest qualities is his vision in connecting with the attack and defence in addition to his knack for goals from long range.”

“If you go back and watch our 2015 U-20 campaign in Senegal, most of the goals we scored were created by him.”

In October, Ifeanyi Matthew himself said his aim is to be selected for the upcoming AFCON in January. “My wish and earnest desire is to play for the national team, I want to be part of the Super Eagles squad that will be bringing home the AFCON trophy in Cote D’Ivoire”, he said on SuperSport popular program “Naija Made”.